JP2004171924A

JP2004171924A - Multiple-directional slide switch

Info

Publication number: JP2004171924A
Application number: JP2002336423A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Kenji Nishimura; 健司西村; Tamotsu Yamamoto; 保山本
Original assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Holdings Corp
Priority date: 2002-11-20
Filing date: 2002-11-20
Publication date: 2004-06-17
Anticipated expiration: 2022-11-20
Also published as: CN1503292A; US20050000783A1; JP4089397B2; US6906269B2; CN1267945C

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multi-directional slide switch used for an input operation in electronics apparatuses which makes its height dimension small as well as make the number of parts small and further make its assembly easy. SOLUTION: In this multi-directional slide switch, when a drive element 36 held in a square housing 21 is moved to a predetermined direction by sliding operation of an operating lever 39 with the transition of the drive element 36; an elastic leg is one of elastic legs 34B, 34C, 35B, and 35C formed in two movable contacts 34 and 35 with a nearly M shape, moves in the direction corresponding to the moving direction of the drive element 36, and is made to slide elastically in contact with along one inner surface of the side walls 22A-22D of a case 21. Consequently, the elastic leg is contacted with or separated from a corresponding one in stationary contact points 23A-23D. Accordingly, the multi-directional slide switch is capable of making its height dimension small as well as making the number of parts small, and further makes its assembly easy. COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、各種電子機器の入力操作用に使用され、操作レバーのスライド操作により、両面表示内容のスクロール操作等を行なう多方向スライドスイッチに関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来のこの種のスライドスイッチの内容について、図１０〜図１６を用いて説明する。
【０００３】
図１０は従来の多方向スライドスイッチの正面断面図、図１１は分解斜視図、図１２はケースの平面図、図１３は第一スライド部材の組立て状態を説明する一部断面の平面図、図１４は第二スライド部材の組立て状態を説明する一部断面の平面図である。
【０００４】
図１０〜図１２に示すように、樹脂で形成された箱形のケース１には、四角形の内底面の側壁に沿って四つの固定接点２Ａ〜２Ｄおよび四つのグランドパターン２Ｅが配設され、その内部には対向する側壁と平行にＸ軸またはＹ軸方向にスライド可能にガイドされた第一スライド部材３および第二スライド部材４が重ねて収容されて、上面開口部をカバー５で覆われている。
【０００５】
そして、第一スライド部材３の上面には操作レバー６が設けられてカバー５の挿通孔５Ａから上方に突出すると共に、下面には弾性金属薄板で形成された可動接点７が取り付けられており、第二スライド部材４の中央には操作レバー６が遊嵌する貫通孔４Ａが設けられている。
【０００６】
また、第一スライド部材３および第二スライド部材４がＸ軸またはＹ軸方向にスライドするようにガイドする部分は、図１１および図１３、図１４に示すように、第一スライド部材３上面の一対の第一係合部３Ａが、これと同長さに第二スライド部材４下面に設けられた一対の第一ガイド部４Ｂに係合し、第二スライド部材４上面の一対の第二係合部４Ｃが、これと同長さにカバー５下面に設けられた一対の第二ガイド部５Ｂに係合するように構成されている。
【０００７】
そして、第二スライド部材４下面の第一ガイド部４Ｂの両端部近傍およびカバー５下面の第二ガイド部５Ｂの両端部近傍には、それぞれ一対の第一復帰バネ８および第二復帰バネ９が、そのコイル部８Ａおよび９Ａを一対ずつの突部４Ｄおよび５Ｃに位置決めされて対向して配設され、非操作状態において、それぞれのアーム部８Ｂおよび９Ｂが第一ガイド部４Ｂと第一係合部３Ａの両端部および第二ガイド部５Ｂと第二係合部４Ｃの両端部に弾接して、第一係合部３Ａと第二係合部４Ｃすなわち第一スライド部材３と第二スライド部材４を中立位置に停止させている。
【０００８】
またこの時、第一スライド部材３の下面に取り付けられた可動接点７の四つの弾性脚７Ａ〜７Ｄの先端部は、図１２に二点鎖線で示すように、それぞれケース１の内底面の四つの固定接点２Ａ〜２Ｄと四つのグランドパターン２Ｅの間の位置に弾接している。
【０００９】
なお、ケース１の内底面の中央に配設された１０は押圧スイッチ部で、操作レバー６の中央部を貫通して配設された押圧棒１１を押すことによって、ドーム状可動接点１２が弾性変形して動作する。
【００１０】
以上のように構成される従来の多方向スライドスイッチに対し、図１３に示す非操作状態から操作レバー６を右方向へ押圧してＸ軸方向へスライド操作すると、図１５に示すように、第一係合部３Ａの一端部が、対応する右方向側の第一復帰バネ８のアーム部８Ｂを押してコイル部８Ａを弾性変形させながら第一スライド部材３がＸ軸方向へ動き、これに伴って、図１２に示す可動接点７の弾性脚７Ａの先端が固定接点２Ａに、また弾性脚７Ｂの先端がグランドパターン２Ｅに接触し、その信号はケース１外周の端子から外部へ伝達される。
【００１１】
この後、操作レバー６に加える押圧力を除くと、第一復帰バネ８の弾性復元力によって第一係合部３Ａすなわち第一スライド部材３は元の図１３の状態まで押し戻される。
【００１２】
同様に、図１４に示す非操作状態において、操作レバー６を後ろ方向へ押圧してＹ軸方向へスライド操作すると、図１６に示すように、第二係合部４Ｃが、対応する後ろ方向側の第二復帰バネ９を弾性変形させながら第二スライド部材４がＹ軸方向へ動き、可動接点７の弾性脚７Ｃと７Ｄの先端が固定接点２Ｃとグランドパターン２Ｅに接触するものであった。
【００１３】
なお、この出願の発明に関連する先行技術文献情報としては、例えば、特許文献１が知られている。
【００１４】
【特許文献１】
特開２００１−３０７５９９号公報
【００１５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら上記従来の多方向スライドスイッチは、構成部材数が多く、組み立てにも手間がかかるためコスト高であると共に、第一スライド部材３と第二スライド部材４を重ねるために高さ寸法が大きいという課題があった。
【００１６】
本発明は、このような従来の課題を解決するものであり、構成部材数が少なくて組み立ても容易であると共に、高さ寸法が小さい多方向スライドスイッチを提供することを目的とする。
【００１７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記目的を達成するために本発明は、以下の構成を有するものである。
【００１８】
本発明の請求項１に記載の発明は、四角形の底面の外周四辺から直立する側壁の内側面またはその近傍の底面の各々に固定接点が配された箱形のケースと、ケースの中央側に向けては移動規制がなされている弾性アームの一端側が、固定接点のいずれかと接離するようにケース内に各々配された可動接点と、上方に突出する操作レバーが配された本体部が、ケース内を移動可能に収容され、かつ非操作状態では、本体部は各々の可動接点の弾性アームにより付勢されてケース中央位置に位置せしめられる駆動体からなる多方向スライドスイッチとしたものであり、操作レバーを介し駆動体をスライド操作した際、駆動体の本体部の移動に伴って、駆動体の移動方向側に配されている可動接点のいずれかが上記駆動体の本体部で押されて、対応して配された固定接点のいずれかに接触接離し、所定信号を得ることができる、構成部材数が少なくて組み立ても容易であると共に、高さ寸法の小さい多方向スライドスイッチを実現できるという作用効果を有する。
【００１９】
請求項２に記載の発明は、請求項１記載の発明において、駆動体の本体部に規制部を設けると共に、ケースのコーナー部にガイド部を設け、駆動体をスライド操作した際、駆動体の規制部がガイド部に案内されて方向を規制されつつ、ケース内を所定方向に対し移動可能としたものであり、請求項１記載の発明による作用に加え、操作時における駆動体の移動方向を簡素な構造で規制せしめ、当該規制部分によって、予め設定されるスライド操作方向のみに操作して所定信号が得られるものが実現できるという作用効果を有する。
【００２０】
本発明の請求項３に記載の発明は、請求項１記載の発明において、四角形の底面の外周四辺から直立する側壁の内側面またはその近傍の底面上の、底面の中心に対し点対称位置にそれぞれ固定接点を有する箱形のケースと、所定巾の弾性金属薄板を略Ｍ字形状に折り曲げ形成され、Ｍ字形中心部がケース内底面の一方の対角線上に固定され、Ｍ字形両端の二つの弾性脚の先端部が、側壁のうちの一方の対角線に対し線対称位置にある二つの内側面にそれぞれ弾接すると共に、Ｍ字形中心部と二つの弾性脚の根元部とを連結する二つの弾性アームが一方の対角線に対し線対称位置にあるように内方から支持されて、ケース内底面の他方の対角線に対し線対称位置にそれぞれ配設された二つの可動接点と、ケースに設けられたガイド部によりケースの対向する二組の側壁とそれぞれ平行な方向に所定量だけ直線移動可能に本体部の両端部が移動規制され、非操作状態において、本体部の四つの当接部が二つの可動接点の各二つずつの弾性アームと弾性脚の連結部近傍に当接することによりケースの中央位置にあるようにケース内に収容されると共に、ケースの上面開口部から外方に突出した操作レバーを有する駆動体からなる多方向スライドスイッチとしたものであり、操作レバーをケースの底面と平行に押圧してケースの対向する二組の側壁と平行な四方向の何れかにスライド操作すると、駆動体全体がガイド部に沿って直線移動し、動いた方向に対応する駆動体の当接部が、当接している可動接点の弾性アームの連結部近傍を押すことにより、弾性脚の先端部が弾接しているケースの側壁の内側面上を摺動して対応する固定接点と接離し、所定信号が得られるものが実現できるという作用効果を有する。
【００２１】
請求項４に記載の発明は、請求項１記載の発明において、ケース内底面の中央に押圧スイッチ部を配設し、操作レバーを貫通して上下動可能に配設された押圧棒を押し下げることにより動作させるものであり、操作レバーをスライド操作して得られる信号に加えて、押圧棒を押し下げることにより別の信号が得られる多方向スライドスイッチを実現できるという作用効果を有する。
【００２２】
請求項５に記載の発明は、請求項４記載の発明において、ケースの上面開口部を平板状のカバーで塞ぎ、その中央に設けた孔から操作レバーを突出させ、この操作レバーに装着したツマミの外周下端部をカバーの孔の外方に当接させると共に、ツマミの中央に設けた貫通孔から押圧棒を押し下げ可能としたものであり、請求項４記載の発明による作用に加えて、ツマミを介して操作レバーをスライド操作する際に、駆動体の傾きによるヒッカカリ等が生じ難く、スムーズに操作することができると共に、カバーの孔を塞いで外観を良くして、防塵性を高めることができるという作用効果を有する。
【００２３】
請求項６に記載の発明は、請求項４記載の発明において、操作レバーが駆動体の本体部に対し独立して上下動可能に係合して、押圧棒を兼ねるものであり、操作レバーをスライド操作できると共に、操作レバーを押し下げて押圧スイッチ部を動作させることができる、構成部材の少ない多方向スライドスイッチを実現できるという作用効果を有する。
【００２４】
請求項７に記載の発明は、請求項４記載の発明において、ケース底面の中央に押圧スイッチを囲む壁部を設けると共に、非操作状態において壁部の上端よりも所定寸法だけ上方に位置し、壁部の内周に対し、スライド操作時の駆動体の移動量よりも小さい寸法の隙間を有する大径部を押圧棒の下端に設けたものであり、非操作状態においては押圧棒を押し下げて押圧スイッチ部を動作させることができるが、操作レバーのスライド操作時に駆動体と共に押圧棒が移動すると、押圧棒の大径部が部分的に壁部上に移動して押圧棒を押し下げることができないものにでき、スライド操作時における押圧スイッチ部の誤動作が起こり難い多方向スライドスイッチを実現できるという作用効果を有する。
【００２５】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の一実施の形態について、図１〜図９を用いて説明する。
【００２６】
（実施の形態）
図１は本発明の一実施の形態による多方向スライドスイッチのカバーを除いた平面図、図２は正面断面図、図３は分解斜視図、図４はケースの平面図である。
【００２７】
同図において、２１は樹脂で形成された箱形のケースで、図３および図４に示すように、四角形の底面２１Ａの外周四辺から直立する四つの側壁２２Ａ〜２２Ｄの内側面上には、底面２１Ａの中心に対し点対称位置にそれぞれ平板状の固定接点２３Ａ〜２３Ｄが露出状態で配設され、各固定接点２３Ａ〜２３Ｄと導通した端子２４Ａ〜２４Ｄは各側壁２２Ａ〜２２Ｄの外周から突出している。
【００２８】
また、上記底面２１Ａにおいて、上記二つずつの固定接点２３Ａと２３Ｂおよび２３Ｃと２３Ｄの中間を通る一方の対角線上には、上面視台形の支持部２５および２６が突出しており、側壁２２Ａ〜２２Ｄのコーナー部２１Ｂおよび２１Ｃと対向する側の側面には接続接点２７および２８が設けられて、各接続接点２７および２８と導通した端子２７Ａおよび２８Ａも側壁２２Ａおよび２２Ｃの外周から突出している。
【００２９】
なお、これらの固定接点２３Ａ〜２３Ｄと接続接点２７，２８および、導通した端子２４Ａ〜２４Ｄと２７Ａ，２８Ａはスライドスイッチ部用のものである。
【００３０】
一方、ケース２１の底面２１Ａ中央部を囲む円形壁部２１Ｄ内には、中心接点２９とこれを挟む一対の側部接点３０からなる押圧スイッチ部用の固定接点が設けられ、それぞれと導通した端子２９Ａと３０Ａも側壁２２Ｂと２２Ｄの外周から突出している。
【００３１】
そして、この押圧スイッチ部用の固定接点に対し、図２に示すように、弾性金属薄板を椀状に絞り加工したドーム状可動接点３１が、外周下端部が側部接点３０上に載って頂部下面が中心接点２９と所定の間隔をあけて対峙するように配設されて、押圧スイッチ部が構成されている。
【００３２】
また、ケース２１底面２１Ａの他方のコーナー部には、ガイド部３２および３３が設けられている。
【００３３】
このガイド部３２および３３は、対向する壁部２２Ａ，２２Ｃどうし、および２２Ｂ，２２Ｄどうしとそれぞれ平行な方向の窪みを十字状に設けて構成されている。
【００３４】
なお、ガイド部の構成は、上記のようにケース２１底面２１Ａを十字状に窪ませて構成するものに限らず、ケース壁部２２Ａ，２２Ｃおよび２２Ｂ，２２Ｄに突部を設け、少なくとも上記十字状の外方側が構成されてあるものであればよい。
【００３５】
次に、３４および３５は所定巾の弾性金属薄板を、図３に示すような略Ｍ字形状に折り曲げ形成された可動接点で、図１に示すように、Ｍ字形中心部の接続脚部３４Ａおよび３５Ａが、ケース２１の支持部２５の接続接点２７とコーナー部２１Ｂの間、および支持部２６の接続接点２８とコーナー部２１Ｃの間にそれぞれ圧入・固定されて、接続接点２７および２８と導通している。
【００３６】
そして、各可動接点３４および３５のＭ字形両端の弾性脚３４Ｂ，３４Ｃおよび３５Ｂ，３５Ｃの先端部３４Ｄ，３４Ｅおよび３５Ｄ，３５Ｅが、ケース２１の側壁２２Ａ，２２Ｂ上の固定接点２３Ａ，２３Ｂの近傍および側壁２２Ｃ，２２Ｄ上の固定接点２３Ｃ，２３Ｄの近傍に、各固定接点と所定の間隔をあけて弾接している。
【００３７】
また、可動接点３４および３５の中心部と二つの弾性脚３４Ｂ，３４Ｃおよび３５Ｂ，３５Ｃの根元部とを連結する二つずつの弾性アーム３４Ｆ，３４Ｇおよび３５Ｆ，３５Ｇは、図１に示すように、それぞれの中間部が支持部２５および２６の対称位置にある角部２５Ａ，２５Ｂおよび２６Ａ，２６Ｂに弾接して、ケース２１のコーナー部２１Ｂと２１Ｃを結ぶ対角線に対し対称位置にあるように支持されて位置規制されている。
【００３８】
そして、３６は樹脂形成された駆動体で、図１に点線で示すように、長板状の本体部３６Ａ両端の、中心に対し対称な突出部の下面にそれぞれ設けられた柱状部３７Ａおよび３７Ｂがケース２１の対向する壁部２２Ａ，２２Ｃおよび２２Ｂ，２２Ｄと平行な方向に所定量だけ直線移動可能なように、ケース２１底面２１Ａの十字状のガイド部３２および３３の中心部に位置すると共に、本体部３６Ａ下面に突出した方形部３８の四つの側面当接部３８Ａ〜３８Ｄが、それぞれ可動接点３４および３５の各弾性アーム３４Ｆ，３４Ｇおよび３５Ｆ，３５Ｇの先端である各弾性脚との連結部近傍に当接することによって中立位置を保つようにケース２１内に収容されている。
【００３９】
なお、この駆動体３６に設けた柱状部３７Ａおよび３７Ｂが、駆動体３６の規制部として機能するものである。
【００４０】
また、図２および図３に示すように、駆動体３６本体部３６Ａの上面中央には操作レバー３９が一体に設けられて、ケース２１の上面開口部を塞ぐようにケース２１に結合されたカバー４０の中央の孔４０Ａから外方に突出している。
【００４１】
更に、操作レバー３９中心の貫通孔３９Ａには、押圧スイッチ駆動用の押圧棒４１が上下動可能に配設されて、その下端突部４１Ａは上記押圧スイッチ部のドーム状可動接点３１の頂部上面に当接している。
【００４２】
なお、後で詳述するが、押圧棒４１の下端には、大径のフランジ部４１Ｂが設けられており、このフランジ部４１Ｂ下面に下端突部４１Ａが設けられている。
【００４３】
本実施の形態による多方向スライドスイッチは以上のように構成されるものであり、次にその動作について説明する。
【００４４】
まず、スライドスイッチ部の動作について説明すると、図１に示す非操作状態において、スライドスイッチ部の可動接点３４および３５の弾性脚の先端部は何れも固定接点２３Ａ〜２３Ｄと接触しないＯＦＦ状態にある。
【００４５】
この状態から、図５のスライド操作時においてカバーを除いた状態の平面図に矢印で示すように、操作レバー３９に押し力を加えて右方向へスライド操作すると、駆動体３６の本体部３６Ａの突出部下面に設けられた二つの柱状部３７Ａ，３７Ｂが、ケース２１底面２１Ａの十字状のガイド部３２，３３内の右側の窪み位置に、同図に小さな矢印で示すように案内されて、駆動体３６全体として右方向へ動き、本体部３６Ａ下面の方形部３８の側面当接部３８Ｃは可動接点３５の弾性アーム３５Ｆから離れ、側面当接部３８Ｂおよび３８Ｄは、それぞれ可動接点３４の弾性アーム３４Ｇの弾性脚３４Ｃとの連結部近傍および可動接点３５の弾性アーム３５Ｇの弾性脚３５Ｃとの連結部近傍に当接したまま右方向へ動く。
【００４６】
そして、駆動体３６本体部３６Ａ下面の方形部３８の側面当接部３８Ａが、当接している可動接点３４の弾性アーム３４Ｆの先端を右方向へ押し、押された弾性アーム３４Ｆはその根元の固定部である接続脚部３４Ａ部分を中心として回動して、その中間部がケース２１の支持部２５の角部２５Ａから離れると共に、弾性脚３４Ｂの根元部がケース２１の側壁２２Ａに近づくことにより、その先端部３４Ｄが側壁２２Ａの内側面上を弾接・摺動して固定接点２３Ａに接触する。
【００４７】
これにより、接続接点２７と固定接点２３Ａの間すなわち端子２７Ａと２４Ａの間が可動接点３４を介して導通され、その信号が外部へ伝達される。
【００４８】
この時、可動接点３４の弾性アーム３４Ｇおよび可動接点３５の弾性アーム３５Ｆ，３５Ｇは、それぞれケース２１の支持部２５の角部２５Ｂおよび支持部２６の角部２６Ａ，２６Ｂに弾接していて動かない。
【００４９】
この後、操作レバー３９に加える押し力を除くと、可動接点３４の弾性復元力により、弾性アーム３４Ｆが駆動体３６の方形部３８の側面当接部３８Ａをケース２１の中心方向へ押すことによって、駆動体３６の二つの柱状部３７Ａ，３７Ｂがガイド部３２，３３に案内されながら、元の図１の非操作状態、すなわち駆動体３６が、再び可動接点３４と３５とで外周の四方向から中央側に向かって付勢されている安定した中立状態に復帰し、可動接点３４の弾性脚３４Ｂの先端部３４Ｄは固定接点２３Ａから離れる。
【００５０】
同様に、図１に示す非操作状態において、操作レバー３９を左方向または後ろあるいは手前方向へ押すことによって、接続接点２８と固定接点２３Ｃの間、または接続接点２７と固定接点２３Ｂあるいは接続接点２８と固定接点２３Ｄの間を接離することができる。
【００５１】
このように、本実施の形態によるものは、簡素な構成の駆動体３６の規制部となる柱状部３７Ａ，３７Ｂをガイド部３２，３３で移動規制することにより、スライド操作方向を、左右および後ろあるいは手前方向の四方向のみに規制せしめたものであり、かつ当該操作方向のいずれかに操作した際に所定信号が得られる接点配置としてあるものである。
【００５２】
また、本実施の形態によるものは、構成部材数も少ないので組み立ても容易であり、高さ寸法の低いものとなる。
【００５３】
なお、以上の説明において、可動接点３４および３５は弾性金属薄板を略Ｍ字形状に折り曲げ加工したもので、固定部となったＭ字形中心部を通る中心線に対して対称に、弾性アーム３４Ｆ，３４Ｇと弾性脚３４Ｂ，３４Ｃおよび弾性アーム３５Ｆ，３５Ｇと弾性脚３５Ｂ，３５Ｃが一体に形成されているとしたが、これをＭ字形中心部で二つに分割して、分割した部分それぞれをケース２１のコーナー部２１Ｂおよび２１Ｃに固定してもよいものである。
【００５４】
このようにすることによって、各固定接点２３Ａ〜２３Ｄをそれぞれ電気的に独立したスイッチとすることができる。
【００５５】
また、以上の説明においては、操作レバー３９に横方向の押し力を加えてスライド操作する際に、スライドスイッチ部の略Ｍ字形状の可動接点３４および３５の弾性脚の先端部３４Ｄ，３４Ｅおよび３５Ｄ，３５Ｅは、それぞれのＭ字形中心部に近づく方向にケース２１の側壁２２Ａ〜２２Ｄの内側面上を弾接・摺動するとしたが、これをＭ字形中心部から離れる方向に動くように、各弾性脚３４Ｂ，３４Ｃおよび３５Ｂ，３５Ｃの向きを変えてもよい。
【００５６】
そして、スライドスイッチ部は非操作状態においてＯＦＦ状態にあり、スライド操作することによって所定の端子間が導通するとしたが、これを非操作状態において導通状態にあり、スライド操作することによって所定の端子間がＯＦＦ状態となるようにすることもできる。
【００５７】
更に、固定接点２３Ａ〜２３Ｄはケース２１の底面２１Ａの外周四辺から直立する側壁２２Ａ〜２２Ｄの内側面上に配設されるとしたが、これを側壁２２Ａ〜２２Ｄ近くの底面２１Ａ上に設けて、可動接点３４および３５の弾性脚３４Ｂ，３４Ｃおよび３５Ｂ，３５Ｃの先端が、底面２１Ａの当該固定接点と接離する構成としてもよい。
【００５８】
次に、押圧スイッチ部の動作について説明すると、図２に示す非操作状態において、押圧スイッチ部はＯＦＦ状態すなわち図４に示す接続端子２９Ａと３０Ａの間は導通していない。
【００５９】
この状態から、図６の押圧操作時の正面断面図に矢印で示すように、操作レバー３９中心に配設された押圧棒４１に下方への押し力を加えて押圧操作すると、押圧棒４１の下端突部４１Ａが当接するドーム状可動接点３１の頂部を下方に押して弾性変形させて、頂部下面を中心接点２９に接触させる。
【００６０】
これにより、中心接点２９と側部接点３０の間すなわち端子２９Ａと３０Ａ（図４参照）の間はドーム状可動接点３１を介して導通され、その信号が外部へ伝達される。
【００６１】
この後、押圧棒４１に加える押し力を除くと、ドーム状可動接点３１の弾性復元力により押圧棒４１は上方へ押し戻されて元の図２の状態に復帰し、ドーム状可動接点３１の頂部下面は中心接点２９から離れる。
【００６２】
なお、この押圧スイッチ部は、駆動体３６が非操作状態の位置にある場合のみに動作するように構成されており、次にその内容について説明する。
【００６３】
図２および図３に示すように、押圧棒４１の下端部には大径のフランジ部４１Ｂが設けられて、その中心に下端突部４１Ａが突出形成されている。
【００６４】
そして、このフランジ部４１Ｂは、図２に示すように、ケース２１の底面２１Ａに押圧スイッチ部を囲むように設けられた円形壁部２１Ｄの上端よりも、押圧スイッチ部の動作ストロークよりも小さい寸法だけ上方に位置し、また、フランジ部４１Ｂの外径は、ケース２１の円形壁部２１Ｄの内周に対してスライド操作時の操作レバー３９すなわち押圧棒４１の移動量よりも小さい隙間を有する径となっている。
【００６５】
従って、図７のカバーおよび駆動体を除いた平面図に二点鎖線で示すように、操作レバー３９をスライド操作する時に、操作レバー３９と共に押圧棒４１が横方向へ移動すると、フランジ部４１Ｂの一部がケース２１の円形壁部２１Ｄの上端に重なることになり、この状態において押圧棒４１はフランジ部４１Ｂと円形壁部２１Ｄ上端との高さの差分だけしか下方へ動くことができない。
【００６６】
すなわち、操作レバー３９をスライド操作した状態においては、押圧スイッチ部が動作しない構成にできるものである。
【００６７】
なお、このフランジ部４１Ｂは押圧棒４１が操作レバー３９の貫通孔３９Ａから抜けないようにする役目もしている。
【００６８】
以上の説明において、多方向スライドスイッチの操作レバー部にツマミを装着しない状態について説明したが、図８はツマミを装着した状態の一事例の正面断面図である。
【００６９】
同図において、操作レバー３９の先端部には操作用のツマミ４２が被せられ、その中心の貫通孔４２Ａ内には押ボタン４３が独立して上下動可能に挿入されている。
【００７０】
そして、ツマミ４２の下端は大径部４２Ｂとなり、その外周下端はケース２１の上面開口部を覆うカバー４０の孔４０Ａの外方平面部に当接している。
【００７１】
このような構成のツマミ４２とすることにより、ツマミ４２に横方向の押し力を加えてスライド操作する際に、駆動体３６の傾きによるヒッカカリ等が生じ難く、スムーズに操作することができると共に、カバー４０の孔４０Ａを塞いで外観を良くして、防塵性を高めることができ、更に、押ボタン４３を押圧操作して押圧スイッチ部を動作させることができるものである。
【００７２】
また、図９は、以上に説明した多方向スライドスイッチの駆動体３６の構成を変えたものの正面断面図である。
【００７３】
同図に示すように、駆動体４４の中央孔４４Ａに対して操作レバー４５が独立して上下動可能に係合され、その下端突部４５Ａが押圧スイッチ部のドーム状可動接点３１の頂部上面に当接している。
【００７４】
そして、操作レバー４５の先端部に被せられたツマミ４６は、その下面とカバー４０の間に押圧スイッチ部の動作ストロークよりも少し大きい隙間が設けられている。
【００７５】
このような構成とすることによって、一つのツマミ４６に横方向への押し力を加えスライド操作してスライドスイッチ部を、下方への押し力を加え押圧操作して押圧スイッチ部を、それぞれ動作させることができるので、操作レバー４５およびツマミ４６の形状が簡単で、構成部材数を少なくできるものである。
【００７６】
【発明の効果】
以上のように本発明によれば、操作レバーをスライド操作してケース内に収容した駆動体を所定の方向へ移動させた際に、この駆動体の移動に伴って駆動体で所定の可動接点を押圧して弾接摺動させ固定接点に接離させる構成としたので、構成部材数が少なくて組み立ても容易であると共に、高さ寸法が小さい多方向スライドスイッチを実現できるという有利な効果が得られる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の一実施の形態による多方向スライドスイッチのカバーを除いた平面図
【図２】同正面断面図
【図３】同分解斜視図
【図４】同要部であるケースの平面図
【図５】同スライド操作時におけるカバーを除いた平面図
【図６】同押圧操作時の正面断面図
【図７】同カバーおよび駆動体を除いた平面図
【図８】同ツマミを装着した状態の正面断面図
【図９】同他の構成の多方向スライドスイッチの正面断面図
【図１０】従来の多方向スライドスイッチの正面断面図
【図１１】同分解斜視図
【図１２】同要部であるケースの平面図
【図１３】同要部である第一スライド部材の組立て状態を説明する一部断面の平面図
【図１４】同要部である第二スライド部材の組立て状態を説明する一部断面の平面図
【図１５】同操作レバーをＸ軸方向へスライド操作時の状態を説明する平面図
【図１６】同操作レバーをＹ軸方向へスライド操作時の状態を説明する平面図
【符号の説明】
２１ケース
２１Ａ底面
２１Ｂ，２１Ｃコーナー部
２１Ｄ円形壁部
２２Ａ〜２２Ｄ側壁
２３Ａ〜２３Ｄ固定接点
２４Ａ〜２４Ｄ，２７Ａ，２８Ａ，２９Ａ，３０Ａ端子
２５，２６支持部
２５Ａ，２５Ｂ，２６Ａ，２６Ｂ角部
２７，２８接続接点
２９中心接点
３０側部接点
３１ドーム状可動接点
３２，３３ガイド部
３４，３５可動接点
３４Ａ，３５Ａ接続脚部
３４Ｂ，３４Ｃ，３５Ｂ，３５Ｃ弾性脚
３４Ｄ，３４Ｅ，３５Ｄ，３５Ｅ先端部
３４Ｆ，３４Ｇ，３５Ｆ，３５Ｇ弾性アーム
３６，４４駆動体
３６Ａ本体部
３７Ａ，３７Ｂ柱状部
３８方形部
３８Ａ〜３８Ｄ側面当接部
３９，４５操作レバー
３９Ａ，４２Ａ貫通孔
４０カバー
４０Ａ孔
４１押圧棒
４１Ａ，４５Ａ下端突部
４１Ｂフランジ部
４２，４６ツマミ
４２Ｂ大径部
４３押ボタン
４４Ａ中央孔[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a multi-directional slide switch used for input operation of various electronic devices and performing a scroll operation of double-sided display contents by a slide operation of an operation lever.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The contents of this type of conventional slide switch will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0003]
10 is a front sectional view of a conventional multi-directional slide switch, FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view, FIG. 12 is a plan view of a case, and FIG. 13 is a partial sectional plan view for explaining an assembled state of a first slide member. FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional plan view illustrating an assembled state of the second slide member.
[0004]
As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, four fixed contacts 2 A to 2 D and four ground patterns 2 E are arranged along a side wall of a rectangular inner bottom surface in a box-shaped case 1 made of resin. A first slide member 3 and a second slide member 4 that are slidably guided in the X-axis or Y-axis direction in parallel with the opposing side walls are accommodated therein, and the upper opening is covered with a cover 5. ing.
[0005]
An operation lever 6 is provided on the upper surface of the first slide member 3 and protrudes upward from the insertion hole 5A of the cover 5, and a movable contact 7 formed of an elastic metal sheet is attached to the lower surface. At the center of the second slide member 4, a through hole 4A into which the operation lever 6 is loosely fitted is provided.
[0006]
Further, a portion for guiding the first slide member 3 and the second slide member 4 to slide in the X-axis or Y-axis direction is provided on the upper surface of the first slide member 3 as shown in FIGS. The pair of first engagement portions 3A engage with a pair of first guide portions 4B provided on the lower surface of the second slide member 4 to have the same length as this, and a pair of second engagement members on the upper surface of the second slide member 4. The joining portion 4C is configured to engage with a pair of second guide portions 5B provided on the lower surface of the cover 5 to have the same length.
[0007]
A pair of first return springs 8 and a second return spring 9 are provided near both ends of the first guide portion 4B on the lower surface of the second slide member 4 and near both ends of the second guide portion 5B on the lower surface of the cover 5, respectively. The coil portions 8A and 9A are positioned and opposed to each other with the pair of protrusions 4D and 5C, and in the non-operation state, the respective arm portions 8B and 9B engage with the first guide portion 4B in the first engagement. The first engaging portion 3A and the second engaging portion 4C, that is, the first sliding member 3 and the second sliding member are elastically contacted with both ends of the portion 3A and both ends of the second guide portion 5B and the second engaging portion 4C. 4 is stopped at the neutral position.
[0008]
At this time, the tip portions of the four elastic legs 7A to 7D of the movable contact 7 attached to the lower surface of the first slide member 3 are respectively connected to the inner bottom surface of the case 1 as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. It is in elastic contact with a position between the four fixed contacts 2A to 2D and the four ground patterns 2E.
[0009]
Reference numeral 10 provided at the center of the inner bottom surface of the case 1 is a pressing switch, and the dome-shaped movable contact 12 is elastically pressed by pressing a pressing rod 11 provided through the center of the operating lever 6. It operates by deforming.
[0010]
When the operation lever 6 is pressed rightward and slid in the X-axis direction from the non-operation state shown in FIG. 13 with respect to the conventional multidirectional slide switch configured as described above, as shown in FIG. The first slide member 3 moves in the X-axis direction while one end of the engagement portion 3A pushes the corresponding arm portion 8B of the first return spring 8 on the right side to elastically deform the coil portion 8A. Then, the tip of the elastic leg 7A of the movable contact 7 shown in FIG. 12 contacts the fixed contact 2A, and the tip of the elastic leg 7B contacts the ground pattern 2E, and the signal is transmitted from the terminal on the outer periphery of the case 1 to the outside.
[0011]
Thereafter, when the pressing force applied to the operation lever 6 is removed, the first engagement portion 3A, that is, the first slide member 3 is pushed back to the original state of FIG. 13 by the elastic restoring force of the first return spring 8.
[0012]
Similarly, in the non-operation state shown in FIG. 14, when the operation lever 6 is pressed backward and slid in the Y-axis direction, as shown in FIG. The second slide member 4 moves in the Y-axis direction while elastically deforming the second return spring 9, and the ends of the elastic legs 7C and 7D of the movable contact 7 contact the fixed contact 2C and the ground pattern 2E.
[0013]
As prior art document information related to the invention of this application, for example, Patent Document 1 is known.
[0014]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-307599 A
[0015]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional multi-directional slide switch has a large number of components and requires much time for assembling, so that the cost is high and the height dimension is large because the first slide member 3 and the second slide member 4 are overlapped. There were challenges.
[0016]
An object of the present invention is to solve such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a multidirectional slide switch having a small number of constituent members, easy to assemble, and a small height.
[0017]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following configuration.
[0018]
The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention provides a box-shaped case in which fixed contacts are arranged on the inner side surface of the side wall that stands upright from the four sides of the outer periphery of the square bottom surface or on the bottom surface in the vicinity thereof; A movable contact arranged in the case so that one end of the elastic arm whose movement is restricted is in contact with or separated from one of the fixed contacts, and a main body portion provided with an operation lever protruding upward, In a non-operating state, the main body is a multi-directional slide switch composed of a driving body that is biased by the elastic arms of the respective movable contacts and is positioned at the center of the case when the case is movably accommodated in the case. When the driving body is slid via the operation lever, any one of the movable contacts arranged on the moving direction side of the driving body is pushed by the main body of the driving body as the main body of the driving body moves. And respond Effect that a predetermined signal can be obtained by coming into contact with or separating from any of the fixed contacts arranged in a horizontal direction, and the number of components is small, assembly is easy, and a multidirectional slide switch with a small height dimension can be realized. Having.
[0019]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a restricting portion is provided on the main body of the driving body, and a guide portion is provided at a corner of the case, and when the driving body is slid, the driving body is moved. The restricting portion is movable in a predetermined direction in the case while being guided by the guide portion to regulate the direction. In addition to the operation according to the invention according to claim 1, the moving direction of the driving body during operation is changed. There is an operational effect that the control can be performed with a simple structure and a control signal can be obtained by operating only in a preset slide operation direction by the control portion.
[0020]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a point symmetrical position with respect to the center of the bottom surface is provided on the inner side surface of the side wall erecting from four sides of the outer periphery of the square bottom surface or on the bottom surface in the vicinity thereof. A box-shaped case having fixed contacts and an elastic metal thin plate having a predetermined width are formed by bending into a substantially M-shape, and the center of the M-shape is fixed on one diagonal line of the inner bottom surface of the case. The two elastic members connect the M-shaped central portion and the root portions of the two elastic legs, while the distal ends of the elastic legs are in elastic contact with the two inner surfaces which are line-symmetric with respect to one diagonal of the side walls. The arm is supported from the inside so as to be at a line symmetric position with respect to one diagonal line, and two movable contacts respectively arranged at line symmetric positions with respect to the other diagonal line on the inner bottom surface of the case, and provided at the case. The guide part The two ends of the main body are restricted to move linearly by a predetermined amount in a direction parallel to the two pairs of opposing side walls of the main body. A drive having an operation lever protruding outward from an opening on the upper surface of the case while being accommodated in the case so as to be located at the center position of the case by being brought into contact with the vicinity of the connecting portion between the two elastic arms and the elastic legs. It is a multi-directional slide switch consisting of a body, and when the operating lever is pressed in parallel with the bottom of the case and slid in any of four directions parallel to the two pairs of side walls facing the case, the entire driving body is The distal end portion of the elastic leg elastically contacts by moving linearly along the guide portion, and the contact portion of the driving body corresponding to the moving direction pushes the vicinity of the connecting portion of the elastic arm of the contacting movable contact. Case Separated contact with the fixed contacts corresponding slides on the inner surface of the side wall has the effect that those predetermined signal is obtained can be realized.
[0021]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a pressing switch portion is disposed at the center of the inner bottom surface of the case, and a pressing rod disposed to be vertically movable through the operating lever is pressed down. In addition to the signal obtained by sliding the operation lever, a multidirectional slide switch that can obtain another signal by depressing the pressing rod can be realized.
[0022]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the fourth aspect, the upper opening of the case is closed with a flat cover, and the operation lever is projected from a hole provided at the center thereof, and the knob attached to the operation lever is provided. The outer peripheral lower end of the cover is brought into contact with the outer side of the hole of the cover, and the pressing rod can be pushed down from a through hole provided in the center of the knob. When the operation lever is slid via the, it is difficult to cause cracks and the like due to the inclination of the driving body, it can be operated smoothly, and the appearance of the cover is improved by closing the hole of the cover to improve dustproofness. It has the effect of being able to.
[0023]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, the operation lever is independently and vertically movably engaged with the main body of the driving body and also serves as a pressing rod. The slide switch can be operated, and the operation switch can be operated by pushing down the operation lever. This has the effect of realizing a multi-directional slide switch with a small number of components.
[0024]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, a wall surrounding the push switch is provided at the center of the bottom surface of the case, and is located above the upper end of the wall by a predetermined dimension in a non-operation state. A large-diameter portion having a gap smaller than the moving amount of the driving body at the time of the sliding operation is provided at the lower end of the pressing rod with respect to the inner periphery of the wall, and the pressing rod is pushed down in the non-operation state. The pressing switch can be operated, but when the pressing rod moves together with the driving body during the sliding operation of the operation lever, the large diameter portion of the pressing rod partially moves on the wall, and the pressing rod cannot be pressed down. This has an operational effect that a multidirectional slide switch in which a malfunction of the press switch unit during a slide operation is unlikely to occur can be realized.
[0025]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0026]
(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a multi-directional slide switch according to an embodiment of the present invention without a cover, FIG. 2 is a front sectional view, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view, and FIG. 4 is a plan view of a case.
[0027]
In the figure, reference numeral 21 denotes a box-shaped case made of resin. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, on the inner side surfaces of four side walls 22A to 22D which stand upright from four outer sides of a rectangular bottom surface 21A, Plate-shaped fixed contacts 23A to 23D are disposed in an exposed state at point-symmetric positions with respect to the center of the bottom surface 21A, and terminals 24A to 24D that are electrically connected to the fixed contacts 23A to 23D protrude from the outer periphery of the side walls 22A to 22D. ing.
[0028]
On the bottom surface 21A, on one diagonal line passing between the two fixed contacts 23A and 23B and between the two fixed contacts 23C and 23D, trapezoidal support portions 25 and 26 project from a top view, and the side walls 22A to 22D. Connection contacts 27 and 28 are provided on the side surface opposite to the corner portions 21B and 21C, and terminals 27A and 28A that are electrically connected to the connection contacts 27 and 28 also protrude from the outer periphery of the side walls 22A and 22C.
[0029]
The fixed contacts 23A to 23D, the connection contacts 27 and 28, and the conductive terminals 24A to 24D and 27A and 28A are for a slide switch unit.
[0030]
On the other hand, in the circular wall 21D surrounding the center of the bottom surface 21A of the case 21, a fixed contact for the pressing switch portion including the center contact 29 and a pair of side contacts 30 sandwiching the center contact 29 is provided, and the terminal is in conduction with each. 29A and 30A also protrude from the outer periphery of the side walls 22B and 22D.
[0031]
Then, as shown in FIG. 2, a dome-shaped movable contact 31 obtained by drawing an elastic metal thin plate into a bowl shape is placed on the fixed contact for the press switch portion, and the lower end of the outer periphery is placed on the side contact 30 and the top is placed on the top. The lower surface is disposed so as to face the center contact 29 at a predetermined interval, thereby forming a pressing switch portion.
[0032]
Guide portions 32 and 33 are provided at the other corner of the bottom surface 21A of the case 21.
[0033]
The guide portions 32 and 33 are configured by providing recesses in directions parallel to the opposing wall portions 22A, 22C and 22B, 22D in a cross shape.
[0034]
Note that the configuration of the guide portion is not limited to the configuration in which the bottom surface 21A of the case 21 is depressed in a cross shape as described above, and a protrusion is provided on the case wall portions 22A, 22C and 22B, 22D, and at least the cross shape is provided. It is only necessary that the outer side of is configured.
[0035]
Next, 34 and 35 are movable contacts formed by bending an elastic metal thin plate having a predetermined width into a substantially M-shape as shown in FIG. 3, and as shown in FIG. And 35A are press-fitted and fixed between the connection contact 27 of the support portion 25 of the case 21 and the corner portion 21B and between the connection contact 28 of the support portion 26 and the corner portion 21C, respectively, and are electrically connected to the connection contacts 27 and 28. are doing.
[0036]
The distal ends 34D, 34E and 35D, 35E of the elastic legs 34B, 34C and 35B, 35C at both ends of the M-shaped movable contacts 34, 35 are located near the fixed contacts 23A, 23B on the side walls 22A, 22B of the case 21. In the vicinity of the fixed contacts 23C and 23D on the side walls 22C and 22D, they are in elastic contact with the fixed contacts at a predetermined interval.
[0037]
As shown in FIG. 1, two elastic arms 34F, 34G and 35F, 35G connecting the central portions of the movable contacts 34 and 35 and the roots of the two elastic legs 34B, 34C and 35B, 35C, respectively. The intermediate portions are elastically contacted with the corner portions 25A, 25B and 26A, 26B at the symmetric positions of the support portions 25 and 26, and are supported so as to be symmetric with respect to the diagonal line connecting the corner portions 21B and 21C of the case 21. Has been position regulated.
[0038]
Reference numeral 36 denotes a driving body formed of resin, and as shown by dotted lines in FIG. 1, columnar portions 37A and 37B provided on the lower surfaces of the protruding portions symmetrical with respect to the center at both ends of the long main body portion 36A. Is located at the center of the cross-shaped guides 32 and 33 on the bottom surface 21A of the case 21 so that the can move linearly by a predetermined amount in a direction parallel to the opposing walls 22A, 22C and 22B, 22D of the case 21. The four side contact portions 38A to 38D of the rectangular portion 38 projecting from the lower surface of the main body portion 36A are connected to the elastic legs 34F, 34G and 35F, 35G of the movable contacts 34 and 35, respectively. It is housed in the case 21 so as to maintain the neutral position by contacting the vicinity of the part.
[0039]
Note that the columnar portions 37A and 37B provided on the driving body 36 function as regulating portions of the driving body 36.
[0040]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an operation lever 39 is integrally provided at the center of the upper surface of the main body 36 A of the driving body 36, and a cover coupled to the case 21 so as to close the upper opening of the case 21. 40 protrudes outward from a central hole 40A.
[0041]
Further, a push rod 41 for driving a push switch is disposed in a through hole 39A at the center of the operation lever 39 so as to be able to move up and down, and a lower end projection 41A is provided on the top surface of the top of the dome-shaped movable contact 31 of the push switch. Is in contact with
[0042]
As will be described in detail later, a large diameter flange portion 41B is provided at the lower end of the pressing rod 41, and a lower end projection 41A is provided on the lower surface of the flange portion 41B.
[0043]
The multidirectional slide switch according to the present embodiment is configured as described above, and the operation thereof will be described next.
[0044]
First, the operation of the slide switch unit will be described. In the non-operation state shown in FIG. 1, none of the distal ends of the elastic legs of the movable contacts 34 and 35 of the slide switch unit are in the OFF state where they do not contact the fixed contacts 23A to 23D. .
[0045]
In this state, when a sliding force is applied to the operation lever 39 to the right as shown by an arrow in the plan view with the cover removed during the slide operation in FIG. The two columnar portions 37A, 37B provided on the lower surface of the protruding portion are guided to the right recessed positions in the cross-shaped guide portions 32, 33 on the bottom surface 21A of the case 21 as shown by small arrows in FIG. The driving body 36 moves to the right as a whole, the side contact portion 38C of the rectangular portion 38 on the lower surface of the main body portion 36A is separated from the elastic arm 35F of the movable contact 35, and the side contact portions 38B and 38D correspond to the elastic contact of the movable contact 34, respectively. The arm 34G moves rightward while being in contact with the vicinity of the connecting portion between the elastic leg 34C and the movable contact 35 and the vicinity of the connecting portion of the elastic arm 35G with the elastic leg 35C.
[0046]
Then, the side contact portion 38A of the square portion 38 on the lower surface of the driving body 36 main body portion 36A pushes the tip of the elastic arm 34F of the movable contact 34 in contact with the rightward direction, and the pushed elastic arm 34F is at the root thereof. Rotating around the connection leg 34A, which is a fixed portion, the intermediate portion moves away from the corner 25A of the support portion 25 of the case 21 and the root of the elastic leg 34B approaches the side wall 22A of the case 21. As a result, the distal end portion 34D elastically contacts and slides on the inner side surface of the side wall 22A to contact the fixed contact 23A.
[0047]
Thereby, conduction between the connection contact 27 and the fixed contact 23A, that is, between the terminals 27A and 24A, is conducted via the movable contact 34, and the signal is transmitted to the outside.
[0048]
At this time, the elastic arms 34G of the movable contact 34 and the elastic arms 35F and 35G of the movable contact 35 are in contact with the corners 25B of the support 25 and the corners 26A and 26B of the support 26 of the case 21 and do not move. .
[0049]
Thereafter, when the pressing force applied to the operation lever 39 is removed, the elastic restoring force of the movable contact 34 causes the elastic arm 34F to push the side contact portion 38A of the rectangular portion 38 of the driving body 36 toward the center of the case 21. While the two columnar portions 37A and 37B of the driving body 36 are guided by the guide portions 32 and 33, the original non-operating state of FIG. The movable contact 34 returns to the stable neutral state in which the distal end 34D of the elastic leg 34B of the movable contact 34 is separated from the fixed contact 23A.
[0050]
Similarly, in the non-operation state shown in FIG. 1, by pushing the operation lever 39 leftward, backward, or forward, between the connection contact 28 and the fixed contact 23C, or between the connection contact 27 and the fixed contact 23B or the connection contact 28. And the fixed contact 23D can be brought into contact with and separated from each other.
[0051]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the movement of the columnar portions 37A, 37B serving as the restricting portions of the driving body 36 having a simple configuration is regulated by the guide portions 32, 33, so that the sliding operation direction can be changed to the left, right, and rear. Alternatively, the contact is restricted to only four directions in the front direction, and the contact arrangement is such that a predetermined signal is obtained when operated in any of the operation directions.
[0052]
Further, according to the present embodiment, since the number of constituent members is small, the assembly is easy, and the height dimension is low.
[0053]
In the above description, the movable contacts 34 and 35 are formed by bending an elastic metal thin plate into a substantially M-shape, and the elastic arms 34F are symmetrical with respect to a center line passing through the M-shaped central portion serving as a fixed portion. , 34G and the elastic legs 34B, 34C and the elastic arms 35F, 35G and the elastic legs 35B, 35C are integrally formed, but this is divided into two at the center of the M-shape, and each of the divided parts is separated. It may be fixed to the corners 21B and 21C of the case 21.
[0054]
By doing so, each of the fixed contacts 23A to 23D can be an electrically independent switch.
[0055]
Further, in the above description, when the slide operation is performed by applying a lateral pressing force to the operation lever 39, the distal ends 34D, 34E of the elastic legs of the substantially M-shaped movable contacts 34 and 35 of the slide switch unit are provided. Although 35D and 35E elastically contact and slide on the inner surfaces of the side walls 22A to 22D of the case 21 in a direction approaching the respective M-shaped central portions, the movable portions 35D and 35E are moved in a direction away from the M-shaped central portion. The direction of each elastic leg 34B, 34C and 35B, 35C may be changed.
[0056]
The slide switch unit is in the OFF state in the non-operation state, and the predetermined terminal is electrically connected by the slide operation. However, the slide switch unit is in the conductive state in the non-operation state, and the predetermined terminal is connected by the slide operation. May be turned off.
[0057]
Further, the fixed contacts 23A to 23D are arranged on the inner side surfaces of the side walls 22A to 22D which stand upright from the four sides of the outer periphery of the bottom surface 21A of the case 21, but are provided on the bottom surface 21A near the side walls 22A to 22D. The distal ends of the elastic legs 34B, 34C and 35B, 35C of the movable contacts 34 and 35 may be configured to come into contact with and separate from the fixed contacts on the bottom surface 21A.
[0058]
Next, the operation of the press switch unit will be described. In the non-operation state shown in FIG. 2, the press switch unit is in the OFF state, that is, there is no conduction between the connection terminals 29A and 30A shown in FIG.
[0059]
In this state, when a pressing operation is performed by applying a downward pressing force to the pressing rod 41 disposed at the center of the operation lever 39 as indicated by an arrow in the front sectional view at the time of the pressing operation in FIG. The top of the dome-shaped movable contact 31 with which the lower end protrusion 41 A comes into contact is pushed downward to be elastically deformed, and the lower surface of the top is brought into contact with the center contact 29.
[0060]
Thus, conduction between the center contact 29 and the side contact 30, that is, between the terminals 29A and 30A (see FIG. 4) is conducted via the dome-shaped movable contact 31, and the signal is transmitted to the outside.
[0061]
Thereafter, when the pressing force applied to the pressing rod 41 is removed, the pressing rod 41 is pushed back upward by the elastic restoring force of the dome-shaped movable contact 31 and returns to the original state of FIG. The lower surface moves away from the center contact 29.
[0062]
The pressing switch section is configured to operate only when the driving body 36 is in the non-operating state, and the contents will be described below.
[0063]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a large diameter flange portion 41B is provided at a lower end portion of the pressing rod 41, and a lower end projection 41A is formed at the center thereof.
[0064]
As shown in FIG. 2, the flange portion 41B is smaller than the upper end of the circular wall portion 21D provided on the bottom surface 21A of the case 21 so as to surround the press switch portion, and is smaller than the operation stroke of the press switch portion. And the outer diameter of the flange portion 41B has a gap smaller than the moving amount of the operating lever 39, that is, the pressing rod 41 during the sliding operation with respect to the inner periphery of the circular wall portion 21D of the case 21. It has become.
[0065]
Therefore, as shown by a two-dot chain line in the plan view excluding the cover and the driving body in FIG. 7, when the operating lever 39 is slid and the pressing rod 41 moves in the horizontal direction together with the operating lever 39, the flange 41B is moved. A part thereof overlaps the upper end of the circular wall 21D of the case 21, and in this state, the pressing rod 41 can move downward only by the difference in height between the flange 41B and the upper end of the circular wall 21D.
[0066]
That is, when the operation lever 39 is slid, the pressing switch unit does not operate.
[0067]
The flange portion 41B also serves to prevent the pressing rod 41 from falling out of the through hole 39A of the operation lever 39.
[0068]
In the above description, the state in which the knob is not mounted on the operation lever portion of the multi-directional slide switch has been described. FIG. 8 is a front cross-sectional view of an example in which the knob is mounted.
[0069]
In the figure, an operation knob 42 is put on the tip of the operation lever 39, and a push button 43 is inserted into the center through hole 42A so as to be independently movable up and down.
[0070]
The lower end of the knob 42 is a large diameter portion 42B, and the lower end of the outer periphery is in contact with the outer flat portion of the hole 40A of the cover 40 that covers the upper opening of the case 21.
[0071]
With the knob 42 having such a configuration, when a sliding operation is performed by applying a lateral pressing force to the knob 42, it is unlikely that the driving body 36 is tilted, and a smooth operation can be performed. By closing the hole 40A of the cover 40, the appearance can be improved and dustproofness can be improved. Further, the push switch 43 can be operated by pushing the push button 43.
[0072]
FIG. 9 is a front cross-sectional view of the above-described multidirectional slide switch in which the configuration of the driving body 36 is changed.
[0073]
As shown in the figure, an operation lever 45 is independently and vertically movably engaged with a central hole 44A of a driving body 44, and a lower end projection 45A thereof is provided on the top surface of the top of the dome-shaped movable contact 31 of the pressing switch portion. Is in contact with
[0074]
The knob 46 over the distal end of the operation lever 45 has a gap between the lower surface and the cover 40 that is slightly larger than the operation stroke of the pressing switch.
[0075]
With such a configuration, the slide switch unit is operated by applying a pressing force in the lateral direction to one of the knobs 46, and the slide switch unit is operated by applying a downward pressing force to operate the pressing switch unit. Therefore, the shapes of the operation lever 45 and the knob 46 are simple, and the number of components can be reduced.
[0076]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when the driving body accommodated in the case is moved in a predetermined direction by sliding the operation lever, the driving body moves with the predetermined movable contact with the movement of the driving body. Is pressed and resiliently slid to make contact with and separate from the fixed contact. This has the advantage of being able to realize a multi-directional slide switch with a small number of components and easy assembly, and a small height. can get.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a multi-directional slide switch without a cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front sectional view of the same.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the same.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of a case that is a main part of the same.
FIG. 5 is a plan view without the cover during the slide operation.
FIG. 6 is a front sectional view at the time of the pressing operation.
FIG. 7 is a plan view excluding the cover and the driving body.
FIG. 8 is a front sectional view showing a state where the knob is attached.
FIG. 9 is a front sectional view of a multi-directional slide switch having another configuration.
FIG. 10 is a front sectional view of a conventional multidirectional slide switch.
FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the same.
FIG. 12 is a plan view of a case which is a main part of the same.
FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional plan view illustrating an assembled state of a first slide member, which is the main part.
FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional plan view illustrating an assembled state of a second slide member that is the main part.
FIG. 15 is a plan view illustrating a state when the operation lever is slid in the X-axis direction.
FIG. 16 is a plan view illustrating a state when the operation lever is slid in the Y-axis direction.
[Explanation of symbols]
21 cases
21A bottom
21B, 21C corner
21D circular wall
22A-22D Side wall
23A-23D fixed contact
24A to 24D, 27A, 28A, 29A, 30A terminals
25,26 support
25A, 25B, 26A, 26B corners
27, 28 connection contact
29 Center contact
30 Side contact
31 Dome-shaped movable contact
32,33 Guide part
34,35 movable contact
34A, 35A connection leg
34B, 34C, 35B, 35C elastic legs
34D, 34E, 35D, 35E Tip
34F, 34G, 35F, 35G elastic arm
36,44 Driver
36A main body
37A, 37B Pillar
38 square part
38A-38D Side contact part
39, 45 Operation lever
39A, 42A Through hole
40 cover
40A hole
41 Push rod
41A, 45A Lower end protrusion
41B flange
42, 46 knob
42B Large diameter part
43 push button
44A Central hole

Claims

A box-shaped case in which fixed contacts are arranged on the inner side surface of the side wall erecting from the four sides of the outer periphery of the square bottom surface or on the bottom surface in the vicinity thereof, and an elasticity whose movement is restricted toward the center of the case A movable contact arranged in the case such that one end of the arm is in contact with or separated from any of the fixed contacts, and a main body having an operation lever protruding upward are housed movably in the case. In the non-operation state, the main body portion is constituted by a driving body which is biased by the elastic arms of the respective movable contacts and is positioned at the center position of the case, and slides the driving body via the operation lever. At this time, with the movement of the main body of the driving body, any one of the movable contacts disposed on the moving direction side of the driving body is pushed by the main body, and the fixed contact correspondingly disposed. of Multi-directional slide switch in contact with or displaced.

Along with providing a regulating portion on the main body of the driving body, a guide portion is provided at a corner of the case, and when the driving body is slid, while the regulating portion of the driving body is guided by the guide portion and the direction is regulated, The multi-directional slide switch according to claim 1, wherein the switch is movable in a predetermined direction in the case.

A box-shaped case having fixed contacts at point-symmetric positions with respect to the center of the bottom surface, and a box-shaped case having an elastic metal thin plate having a predetermined width, on the inner side surface of the side wall erecting from the outer four sides of the rectangular bottom surface or on the vicinity of the bottom surface. The M-shaped central portion is fixed on one diagonal line of the inner bottom surface of the case, and the distal ends of the two elastic legs at both ends of the M-shape are connected to the one diagonal line of the side wall. On the other hand, the two elastic arms respectively contacting the two inner surfaces located at the line symmetric positions and connecting the M-shaped central portion and the root portions of the two elastic legs are located at the line symmetric positions with respect to the one diagonal. Two movable contacts, each of which is disposed at an axisymmetric position with respect to the other diagonal line of the inner bottom surface of the case, and two sets of opposing surfaces of the case by a guide portion provided in the case. ~ side The movement of both ends of the main body is restricted so that the main body can move linearly by a predetermined amount in a direction parallel to each of the two movable contacts. By being brought into contact with the vicinity of the connecting portion between the arm and the elastic legs, the driver is housed in the case so as to be at the center position of the case, and has an operation lever protruding outward from the upper opening of the case. When the operation lever is pressed in parallel with the bottom surface of the case and slid in a direction parallel to one of the two sets of opposed side walls of the case, the entire driving body linearly moves along the guide portion. Pushing the vicinity of the connecting portion of the elastic arm of the movable contact with which the contact portion in the moving direction is in contact, and slides on the inner surface of the side wall of the case elastically contacting the distal end of the elastic leg. thing Thus, apart contact with the fixed contact on the inner or bottom surface of the side wall, multi-directional slide switch according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined signal is obtained.

The multi-directional slide switch according to claim 1, wherein a push switch portion is provided at the center of the inner bottom surface of the case, and the push switch portion is operated by pushing down a push bar that is vertically movable through the operation lever.

The top opening of the case is closed with a flat cover, the operating lever is projected from the hole provided in the center of the case, and the outer peripheral lower end of the knob attached to this operating lever is brought into contact with the outside of the cover hole. 5. The multi-directional slide switch according to claim 4, wherein the pressing rod can be pushed down from a through hole provided in the center of the knob.

5. The multidirectional slide switch according to claim 4, wherein the operation lever is independently and vertically movably engaged with the main body of the driving body and also serves as a pressing rod.

A wall surrounding the press switch is provided at the center of the bottom surface of the case, and is located above the upper end of the wall by a predetermined dimension in a non-operating state. 5. The multi-directional slide switch according to claim 4, wherein a large diameter portion having a gap smaller than the moving amount is provided at a lower end of the pressing rod.